Seijun Suzuki was a maverick filmmaker who defied conventions, and challenged the norms of Japanese cinema. His audacious style made him a trailblazer in the industry, known for his striking visuals, intricate set designs, and vibrant use of colour. He was unafraid to experiment with form and structure, often eschewing traditional storytelling techniques in favour of abstractions and spectacle. His films were marked by their dreamlike quality, surreal imagery, and poetic sensibility.

Suzuki's oeuvre includes many masterpieces, but perhaps his most iconic works are "Branded to Kill" and "Tokyo Drifter." These films have become cult classics and his particular use of pop art aesthetics, jazzy soundtracks, and stylised violence set the stage for the Japanese New Wave and influenced a generation of filmmakers.

Despite his innovative approach, Suzuki was not always appreciated by critics and industry insiders. His films were often dismissed as confusing and incoherent, and he was famously fired from his position at Nikkatsu Studios for making films that were deemed too unorthodox. However, Suzuki's uncompromising vision and unrelenting commitment to his art ultimately won him the admiration and respect of his peers.